Colchester v Villa: Whelan - We must be bang at it

Glenn Whelan stressed that the team must be “bang at it” to progress in the Carabao Cup this evening.

Villa travel to Colchester tonight for a 7.45pm encounter with the League Two side, which will be screened on Sky Sports.

Whelan is more than aware that the U's will be eyeing a giant-killing.

But our new midfielder is confident his claret and blue team-mates will be fired up to get through.

He said: “We have to be bang at it.

We have to be bang at it. Colchester will be eager to turn us over. They are after a big scalp.
Glenn Whelan

“Colchester will be eager to turn us over. They are after a big scalp.

“You can’t underestimate that. But we want to get through.

“I believe that momentum is so vital in football. If you can build that up, it can help in all competitions.

“You can’t underestimate that winning feeling. It keeps everyone happy. We want to pick up that first victory of the season tonight.”

Whelan heads into the game following his competitive debut in the draw against Hull City on the opening day.

Our new No.6 saw positives in the performances and insists it’s now key to build on those going-forward.

He added: “We started well and scored early. We had other chances. They weren’t easy chances, though. But we need to be clinical as a team. If you get 2-0 up it’s a tough game for Hull to get back into.

“But obviously Hull came back into it after the break and managed to pick up the draw.

“There were positives in the performance. We were disappointed with the second half.

“But the team can improve and will improve. Our match sharpness will increase with every game. I am confident we will kick on. I am very positive.

“It wasn’t too strange for me, personally. It’s the start of a new adventure.

“I am delighted to be here. I am here to help the team get promoted. That’s my aim. It’s a new football challenge. I am relishing being here."